Waterproof boot apparel

ABSTRACT

A waterproof boot apparel adaptable for use with at least one leg of a user is disclosed. The boot apparel comprises a lower boot area that includes a heavy duty boot, and an upper boot area defined by a long cover and a flap, wherein the long cover can be rolled up to cover a thigh of a user or rolled down and tucked into a compartment or pouch formed by folding the flap over the long cover and attaching the flap to the lower boot area by means of a zipper or Velcro®.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

Claims the benefit of the priority filing date of provisional patent application No. 61/096,715 filed on Sep. 12, 2008.

FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH

Not Applicable

SEQUENCE LISTING OR PROGRAM

Not Applicable

STATEMENT REGARDING COPYRIGHTED MATERIAL

Portions of the disclosure of this patent document contain material that is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever.

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates in general to waterproof boots, and more particularly to waterproof boot apparel with a roll up area that fits snugly over the thighs and that can easily roll down to the top of the boot when not in use.

Waterproof apparel construction provides protection against cold temperature, rain, snow and wet conditions, satisfying the needs of ranchers, feedlot operators, hunters, cutter racers and cowboys engaged in various outdoor riding activities. Various waterproof boots are devised that provide the user with an easy way to keep the feet, socks, and upper legs dry when hunting or hiking in wet areas.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,319,360 to Nadler discloses an article of footwear comprising a foot covering including a sole, an upper, and a leg covering extending upwardly from the upper. The upper and leg covering is made of waterproof transparent plastic material. The upper and leg covering has a fabric liner extending adherently to substantially the entire inner surfaces of the upper and leg covering. The liner comprising a stocking having a design exposed through the upper and leg covering includes an additional tubular part extending upward beyond the upper end of the leg covering and free of the latter for fitting about a wearer's leg, the liner being heat-sealed to the upper and leg covering.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,244,121 to Adams discloses a waterproof hip length boot and method of manufacture wherein the fabric lined upper leg portion is attached as a sheet around its lower edge to the upper edge of the lower boot portion by an adhesive, such as urethane or another synthetic polymeric material having similar properties, that provides circumferential and longitudinal bonded seams, and also coats the fabric opposite the wearer's knee for internal abrasion protection.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,964,047 to Covatch discloses an article of footwear that includes an outer boot having a sole and an upper that together defines a volume for receiving and protecting a wearer's foot against external elements, an outer waterproof bootie, sized and shaped to fit snugly within the volume, and an inner bootie disposed within the outer bootie. The outer bootie has a waterproofing layer impervious to penetration by water for keeping the wearer's foot dry in wet conditions, and a thermal insulating layer for preventing thermal loss. The inner bootie includes another thermal insulating layer for further preventing thermal loss.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,760,982 to Chen provides a shoe that includes an upper with a first notched edge, an inner lining disposed inside the upper and having a second notched edge in alignment with the first notched edge, and a sock-like waterproof lining made of a waterproof breathable membrane and disposed between the upper and the inner lining. The waterproof lining has a third notched edge in alignment with the first notched edge. An elastic part spans the first, second and third notched edges, and has an outer layer and an inner layer both of which are elastic. The inner layer has a peripheral edge attached to the second notched edge to form an inner seam. The outer layer has a peripheral edge attached to the first notched edge to form an outer seam. The third notched edge is attached to one of the first and second notched edges along one of the inner and outer seams.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,219,443 to Czaplewski discloses a protective footgear fabricated of stiff but flexible fabrics, such as canvas, with the sole and at least the lower portions at least partially impregnated with a rubbery waterproof material. The footgear or “booties” are designed to be worn over work shoes or boots to protect them from dirty environments or to permit the wearer to enter “clean” areas without removing dirty boots. Optional leggings, extending as high as the knee, can be provided as a removable or permanent part of the footgear. Patterns, materials and instructions can be assembled and provided as a kit for fabrication of personal footgear.

Most of the above-referenced waterproof apparels with the sole and upper body consists of water-impermeable and preferably water vapor-permeable material. There have been problems in providing a waterproof arrangement between the upper and outer sole of the footwear in maintaining a good fit, light weight, and water vapor-permeable quality of the upper material. Some of the above waterproof apparels require considerable preparation time and careful manual assembly, with high costs in time and the labor involved. In some other waterproof apparels, even though the apparel includes the uppers or leggings that are removably or permanently attached to the boot, the apparel provides no means for holding the leggings while the leggings are not in use. In the case of some waterproof apparels, the upper and lower parts are made of expensive air-permeable waterproof material whose stitched seams have to be sealed properly so as to ensure a good waterproofing effect. These and similar waterproof apparels can often be bulky and are not conducive to the style and aesthetic ornamentation.

It is therefore an object of the present invention is to provide a design of a waterproof boot apparel which is convenient for a user who can employ the leggings only when actually required by the task. Another object of the invention is to provide a waterproof boot apparel that can hold the rolled leggings in a compartment at the top of the boot and cover with a flap when not in use. Other objects of the present invention will become better understood with reference to appended Summary, Description and Claims.

SUMMARY

The present invention is a waterproof boot apparel that is adaptable for use with at least one leg of a user. The waterproof boot apparel comprises a lower boot area that includes at least one heavy duty boot and an upper boot area defined by a flap and a long cover. The long cover may be rolled up the thigh of a user when in use, and rolled down to the top of the upper boot area when not in use. The flap may be folded over the long cover to form a compartment or pouch for the long cover when not in use.

The flap forms the compartment or pouch by means of a zipper of Velcro disposed on both the flap and the lower boot area. The upper peripheral edge of the flap comprises the top part of the zipper and the lower boot area comprises the bottom part of the zipper. When the flap is folded over and attached to the lower boot area by a zipper, Velcro, or elastic band, a compartment is formed for the long cover when not in use. When the zipper is unzipped or the Velcro detached, the long cover can be extended over the flap and up the thigh of the user. The lower boot area and the upper boot area may be made removably attached and available as separate single units or permanently attached and available as a combined single unit.

FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the invention, illustrating the waterproof boot apparel in the open position with a long cover rolled up from the top of a boot over the flap to fit snugly over the thighs.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the invention, illustrating the waterproof boot apparel in the open position with the long cover rolled down to the top of the boot, exposing the flap.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the invention, illustrating the waterproof boot apparel in the closed position wherein a bottom half of a zipper and a top half of a zipper are zipped together.

REFERENCE NUMERALS

-   -   10 . . . Waterproof boot apparel     -   12 . . . Lower boot area     -   14 . . . Upper boot area     -   16 . . . Long cover     -   18 . . . Top of a boot     -   20 . . . Flap     -   22 . . . Upper peripheral edge of the flap     -   23 . . . Zipper     -   23 a . . . Bottom half of a zipper     -   23 b . . . Top half of a zipper

DESCRIPTION

Referring to the drawings, a preferred embodiment of a waterproof boot apparel 10 adaptable to use with at least one leg of a user (not shown) is illustrated and generally indicated as 10 in FIGS. 1 through 3. The waterproof boot apparel 10 comprises a lower boot area 12 that includes at least one heavy duty boot, and preferably one bootie (not shown) that should be waterproof inserted inside the boot, and an upper boot area 14 defined by a long cover 16 and a flap 20 that folds over the long cover 16 when detached (unzipped) from the heavy duty boot 18. The boot apparel 10 further comprises a bottom half of a zipper 23 a on the top portion of the heavy duty boot 18 that corresponds with a top half of a zipper 23 b located on the flap 20. When the flap is in the closed position (FIG. 3), the bottom half of the zipper 23 a aligns with the top half of the zipper 23 b.

FIG. 1 illustrates the waterproof boot apparel 10 in the open position with the long cover 16 rolled up high on the leg of a user (not shown) over the flap 20. The long cover 16 may be leggings or waders and can roll up to twelve or twenty four inches high on the leg of a user (not shown). The upper boot area 14 along with long cover 16 can be removably or permanently attached to the lower boot area 12. The upper boot area 14 may be made of a waterproof material such as nylon, Gortex, or the like. The long cover may comprise means for tightening the long cover around the leg of a user for a snug fit.

FIG. 2 illustrates the waterproof boot apparel 10 wherein the long cover 16 is in the rolled down position exposing the flap 20. The flap 20 is attached to the lower boot area. A preferred embodiment of the invention is for the flap to be sewn onto the outside of the bootie (not shown) that is inserted inside of the boot, as opposed to the flap sewn on the boot itself. The lower boot area 12 and the upper boot area 14 may be made available as separate single units or as a combined single unit.

FIG. 3 illustrates the waterproof boot apparel 10 in the closed position wherein flap 20 is folded over so that top half of the zipper 23 b and the bottom half of the zipper 23 a may be zipped together forming a compartment for the long cover 16. The long cover 16 can be easily rolled down to the top of the boot 18 when not in use. The flap 20 may further include a Velcro arrangement or elastic band, in lieu of a zipper, so as to define a pouch that opens at the top of the boot 18. The boot 12 can be available in a wide range of sizes and colors.

All features disclosed in this specification, including any accompanying claims, abstract, and drawings, may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.

Although preferred embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, various modifications and substitutions may be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, it is to be understood that the present invention has been described by way of illustration and not limitation. 

1. A waterproof boot apparel adaptable to use with at least one leg of a user, the waterproof boot apparel comprising: a lower boot area that includes at least one heavy duty boot; an upper boot area defined by a long cover and a flap; and a means for attaching the flap to the lower boot area to form a compartment or pouch for the long cover when the flap is folded over.
 2. The waterproof boot apparel of claim 1, wherein the long cover comprises leggings or waders.
 3. The waterproof boot apparel of claim 1, wherein the long cover can be rolled up or down the thigh of a user, and down to the top of the boot.
 4. The waterproof boot apparel of claim 1, wherein the means for attaching the flap to the lower boot area is a zipper, Velcro®, or elastic band.
 5. The waterproof boot apparel of claim 1, wherein the flap is attached to the lower boot area, including by means of sewing.
 6. The waterproof boot apparel of claim 1, wherein the upper boot area is made of a waterproof material such as nylon or Gortex.
 7. The waterproof boot apparel of claim 1, wherein the lower boot area and the upper boot area are permanently attached to form a single unit.
 8. The waterproof boot apparel of claim 1, wherein the lower boot area and the upper boot area are removably attached to form two separate units.
 9. The waterproof boot area of claim 1, wherein the long cover comprises a means for fitting the long cover snugly over the thigh of a user.
 10. The waterproof boot apparel of claim 4, wherein the top portion of the zipper is located on the flap and the bottom half of the zipper is located on the lower boot area.
 11. A waterproof boot apparel adaptable to use with at least one leg of a user, the waterproof boot apparel comprising: a lower boot area that includes at least one heavy duty boot and at least one bootie; an upper boot area defined by a long cover and a flap; and a means for attaching the flap to the lower boot area to form a compartment or pouch for the long cover when the flap is folded over.
 12. The waterproof boot apparel of claim 11, wherein the long cover is sewn onto the at least one bootie.
 13. The waterproof boot apparel of claim 11, wherein the long cover is sewn onto the at least one heavy duty boot.
 14. The waterproof boot apparel of claim 11, wherein the bootie is waterproof.
 15. A method of holding a long cover, removably attached to a waterproof boot apparel, while the long cover is not in use, the method comprising: rolling down the long cover from the thighs down to the top of a lower boot area; folding a flap, removably or permanently attached to the lower boot area, over the long cover while the long cover is in rolled down position; and attaching the flap to the lower boot area to enclose the long cover in a compartment or pouch.
 16. The method of claim 15, wherein the long cover is comprised of leggings or waders.
 17. The method of claim 15, wherein the lower boot area comprises a heavy duty boot.
 18. The method of claim 15, wherein the flap is attached to the lower boot area.
 19. The method of claim 15, wherein attaching the flap to the lower boot area is done by means of a zipper, Velcro®, or elastic band.
 20. The method of claim 15, wherein the top half of the zipper is located on the flap and the bottom half of the zipper is located on the lower boot area. 